Hyperemia — Congestion of the Spleen. 569 



especially to one that is rich in albuminoids (beans, peas, vetches, 

 lucerne, sanfoin, clover, trefoil, in the fresh or preserved con- 

 dition). If these are not in themselves the direct causes of acute 

 and fatal engorgements of the spleen, they at least contribute in no 

 small degree to the over-distension of the pulp spaces, the paresis 

 of the organ and its successful invasion by pathogenic microbes. 



The acute congestion attendant on specific microbian infection 

 may be estimated by the increase in weight of the spleen. In 

 the Southern Cattle fever this organ, which is normally 1.45 lb., 

 is habitually 2 to 5 lbs., and may reach 8 or 10 lbs, and in anthrax 

 an equal increase may be noted. 



Lesions. In such cases the organ may appear as if there were 

 a simple blood engorgement, and this is largely the case in the 

 eaily stages, but with the persistence of the disease there occurs 

 an active proliferation of the splenic cells and especially those of 

 the pulp. With the hypersemia the consistency of the organ is 

 diminished, and still more so with the cell hyperplasia, so much 

 so that in extreme cases rupture may ensue. The color is always 

 darker (purple or blue) , but this is only in part due to the abund- 

 ance of blood and in part to the thinness of the splenic capsule. 

 If the condition persists a hyperplasia of the capsule and trabe- 

 culse ensues, and the condition becomes essentially one of 

 hypertrophy. 



Symptoms. In the slighter congestions there are no appreci- 

 able symptoms. In the more severe there may be more or less 

 violent colic, but this is usually marked to some extent by the 

 profound depression attendant on the specific fever which is the 

 cause of the congestion. Palpation of the spleen is impossible in 

 the horse. In ruminants it may sometimes be felt along the 

 upper border of the rumen just behind the last rib on the left 

 side. It is soft and yielding retaining the indentation of the 

 finger. If manipulation produces signs of pain it is all the more 

 significant. 



Treatment. As a rule this is the treatment of the fever which 

 determines the hyperaemia. Apart from this, laxatives, quinia 

 other alkaloids of cinchona bark, eucalyptus, a current of cold water 

 directed to the region of the spleen, or induction currents of elec- 

 tricity to the same region are also decided stimulants to contrac- 

 tion. Ergot has been used with alleged advantage. In cattle 

 acupuncture of the spleen has been put in practice in anthrax. 



